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Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) (2012-2020) reliability

Not enough data

Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) models built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

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Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2012-2020CoupePETROL

Based on 940 tests of BRZ models registered 2012-2020.

ZC6 (1st gen) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10810.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
11311.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
16911.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14615.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
14214.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
13417.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12820.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 12 years old.

How the BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) compares

At each age below, see how the BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 3,305 tests across 7 Subaru models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateSubaru average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
10810.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
11311.5%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
16911.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14615.8%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
14214.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
13417.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12820.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the BRZ ZC6 (1st gen).

  1. 1

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 11.5% for the Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen), both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 11.5% for the Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen), both built around 2018.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Audi TT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    4.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.5%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 1.8%, against 4.4% for the Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen).

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,783 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 11.5% for the Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen), both built around 2018.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Subaru BRZ.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 3 recalls

Top concerns

  • The impeller deformation may cause the fuel pump to become inoperative
  • The load may exceed the valve spring's fatigue strength and the spring may fracture
  • Loss of power assistance

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) cars have aged

How BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%357911Age at MOTBuilt around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 6.3% (63 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 5.0% (60 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 14.1% (64 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.3% (71 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 5.1% (78 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 5.6% (71 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 3.3% (60 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 8.9% (56 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.2% (68 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 7.3% (123 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 7.0% (115 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (112 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.0% (123 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.0% (113 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (99 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.1% (99 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 10.1% (89 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.5% (97 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 9.5% (84 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 12.1% (99 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 7.3% (96 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.3% (84 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 13.6% (88 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (83 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (82 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 8.2% (73 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (71 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 9.4% (64 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (69 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.5% (96 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 8.5% (82 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 5.7% (87 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 12.6% (87 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 19.4% (93 tests, 2025 data)2013
First registered around 2019First registered around 2018First registered around 2017First registered around 2016
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Subaru BRZes of this age

This list covers every Subaru BRZ built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the ZC6 (1st gen) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.7%
    Advisory: 17Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.7%
    Advisory: 15Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    6.2%
    Advisory: 10Fail: 2 (17% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.4%
    Advisory: 6Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    4.4%
    Advisory: 5Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 113 tests

Looking at a Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Subaru BRZ ZC6 (1st gen) (2012-2020) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 113 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 940 MOT tests on Subaru BRZes first registered between 2012-2020. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.